abulezz

The current season (2054/55) below, along with the winners' list since the beginning of the save. The Premier League has been competitive the last few years.

Even though I have not been updating, I have been playing this save quite frequently. I am about to start the 2054/55 season, and for anyone interested, this has been my progress so far:

KAFRA FC 2037/38 TEAM REVIEW PREMIER LEAGUE: 17th Place – FA CUP: 5th Round – CARABAO CUP: 2nd Round Conclusion? The Premier League is tough. Save for a few key wins against teams of a similar caliber, the Kafra Lions looked more like a relegation front-runner than a team that belonged in the most famous league in the world. The stars that shone so brightly in the Championship have been dulled, despite those same stars still being the best the team has to offer. Lessons were definitely learned this season – youth have an exceedingly difficult time with the stars. For the second straight season, GK Liam Williams was named Kafra Player of the Year because he was required to perform at a high level as he was relentlessly under attack for most of the season. Only six players are over the age of 25, with a clear age separation between the ’22 Generation and the new one that has been coming up. Again, the team was not the absolute worst defensive team in the league (it was the second-worst), conceding 75 Goals as compared to the 72 conceded last year. The offense was almost the same, scoring one less goal this year for a total of 35 Goals. There was a noticeable drop in the overall points, however, with the 37 Points from last year diminishing to just 32 Points this season. In essence, this was a tougher year for the club to get through than their first in the Premier League, and there are more questions than answers going forward, especially at the back. There will be ’22 Generation veterans who will leaving the club this summer, but there are questions as to whether the incoming crop that will be tasked with replacing them is ready. There is no doubt that a few them have the potential to be good Premier League players, but there is no ready answer as to when that could possibly happen – they could surprise everyone and develop as soon as this coming season, or it could go several years before we see their potential untapped. The 2037/38 did not see a single standout players from the club, and that includes the ‘Zidane of Kafra’ in Bendeguz Mari. The good news is that the club remains one of the top in the world when it comes to its facilities, both training and youth. The KYA was developed a number of players that are currently in the first team – such as Adam Clark and Chris Howe, both of whom carry 5*/5 PA and look like they are real gems – but they are still all young. It is this upcoming generation that will experience playing in Kafra FC’s new stadium when it is built, as the approval for the new structure came just after the end of the season as the current stadium has met its capacity. KEY PLAYERS LIAM WILLIAMS Goalkeeper – Wales (2 U21 Caps) – Age: 23 ('31 Youth Class) It is not so much that the now two-time Kafra Player of the Year is a great talent – he is undoubtedly a Premier League-level player – but more so that he is forced to come up with great plays as the backline in front of him failed to keep out the opposition throughout the season, leading to one of the worst defenses in the Premier League. This is not to take away anything from his skills, as he was far and wide the club's most inconsistent and best player throughout the 2038/39 season. While he made the Wales team for the World Cup at South Africa 2038, he did not end up playing single minute on his nation's magical ride to the Semi-Finals and the Bronze medals. At the club level, his numbers speak for themselves, and he has built himself a cult following amongst the fans. He has some glaring weaknesses, and it is doubtful that Ni Ezz is completely satisfied with his quality, but he is perhaps the club's most important player at this point. BENDEGUZ MARI Midfielder/Attacking Midfielder (Centre) – Hungary (44 Caps/5 Goals) – Age: 28 ('25 Youth Class) Almost everyone associated with the club wanted to see Mari perform in the Premier League, and for the most part, he did not disappoint. His bag of tricks was on display more often than not, and he thrilled numerous stadiums around the country. Could he have been more consistent? The answer to that question is yes, but then again, with the clear talent disparity between the EPL teams and Kafra, not many can bemoan the fact that his season was good but not spectacular. In 33 Appearances, he registered 5 Goals, 5 Assists, 3 PoMs, 2.08 T/90, 1.80 D/90, and 7.06 AR, down from 7.46 AR last season in the Championship. The ‘Zidane of Kafra’ shares a lot of similarities with the legendary French midfielder, albeit in a less talented form, and he remains central to Ni Ezz’s plans. He is, without a doubt, the greatest player the KYA has produced outside of the ’22 Generation, and there is hope that he will do a lot better next season now that he has a year of PL experience under his belt. TOM DAWSON Striker – England (Capped at U20 level) – Age: 32 ('22 Youth Class) The GOAT. Kafra’s greatest ever, without a doubt. Just seeing him play in the Premier League – and score 17 Goals – was reason enough to celebrate the season. No one deserved to taste Premier League competition more than Dawson, who stuck through the club through thick and thin and never wavered. His exploits in the Championship made him the division’s greatest ever scorer and amongst the best ever in terms of accomplishments. He didn’t have the most consistent season this year (35 Appearances, 17 Goals, 2 Assists, 4 PoMs, 6.81 AR), but the last time he registered below 7.00+ AR, it was the club’s first season in the Championship. He is perhaps just past his prime now, but history points to the fact that Dawson’s first season in a new division is always his worst in said division. The hope is that he will be able to accomplish the same feat in his second season in the Premier League. HOT PROSPECTS & OTHER NOTES THE BACK: The fact that Kafra’s defense was not the worst in the league is a victory. They were ranked 18th out of the 20 teams, with Brentford and Aston Villa (both relegated) being the two teams that had a leakier backline than the Lions. Most of that was down to the brilliance of GK Liam Williams, but one of the best players on the squad this season (best being relative) was 23-year-old DC Kingsley Folorunsho (33 Apps, 1.45 T/90, 3.36 Int/90, 6.83 AR), who had the highest AR out of any starter outside of Williams and Hungarian international Bendeguz Mari. The Nigerian U23 international is not considered a PL-level talent by the club’s analytical staff, but he continues to overachieve and overperform. The only other notable defender, both in short-term and long-term consideration, is Jamie Saunders (33 Apps, 2.81 T/90, 4.01 Int/90, 6.73 AR), who had a difficult first season in the Premier League but continues to carry a 5*/5 PA rating. The 21-year-old RB is known for his physical strength as well as being very driven mentally, although he has been a starter for just two years. Outside of those two, the current defenders on the first team are just fillers, and the KYA has not produced enough defensive talent to be optimistic for a big change in the coming few years. THE MIDDLE AND FRONT: One of the most exciting things to happen last season was the debut of Charles Howe (’37 YC), who started his first match before turning 16 years old. He has already drawn comparisons to the legendary David Beckham and has shown improvement in his game despite being with the first team for just a few months. Ni Ezz has made no secret that the youngster will have a starting spot in the center of the pitch – most likely alongside 21-year-old Kosovan international Gentjan Krasniqi (’32 YC – 36 Apps, 2 Gls, 3 Asts, 6.79 AR) – come the beginning of next season and is ready to go through the growing pains with the youngster. He is not the only exciting prospect in the middle of the pitch, however – players like Chris Farrell (’36 YC) and Alex Borrowdale (’35 YC – 35 Apps, 2 Gls, 2 Asts, 2.88 T/90, 3.43 D/90, 6.66 AR) are already part of the first team rotation along with 21-year-old Swedish U21 international Olof Thorn (23 Apps, 4 Gls, 6.95 AR). END OF SEASON

YOUTH INTAKE 2038

KAFRA FC 2036/37 TEAM REVIEW PREMIER LEAGUE: 17th Place – FA CUP: 5th Round – CARABAO CUP: 2nd Round Any result that ended up with the team staying up in the English Premier League and not dropping down to the Championship was going to be a huge success, so in that respect, the Kafra Lions had a wildly successful season. They managed to beat out three other teams for the right to remain in the Premier League next season, and a lot of it was done on the back of the newly crowned Premier League Young Player of the Year, Liam Williams, who was also named the Kafra Player of the Year for the first time in his career. It also helped that – shock, horror – Kafra were not the absolute worst defensive team in the toughest league in the world. Tom Dawson led the offense with 17 Goals, fulfilling a life long dream of playing in the Premier League with Kafra. Although he is probably past his prime at this point, he should still have a couple of strong seasons left in him. The experience of playing in the Premier League has now become a common notion at the club, and the initial awe is bound to have worn off by the time next season rolls around. The Kafra Youth Academy continues to search for places to set up its next branch, after having fully opened its KYA Accra Campus a few years ago. Not much of note has come up through the campus, but the talent in the region has definitely become more accessible. The Premier League has brought with such a huge financial gain – as compared to its previous years – that the club has now a surplus of over £100M, even after the heavy expansion of the Kafra Stadium. Speaking of that, the state-of-the-art stadium can now seat 24,739 people having initially been built in 2030. The club’s fanbase continues to steadily grow, with the world having finally been exposed to the club after they got promoted to the Premier League. The coming season will see the club continue its focus on developing prospects coming out of the KYA and look to introduce a few new faces into the first team. The ’22 Generation is slowly losing its influence, the bridge between the ’22 Generation and the ’32 Generation is Bendeguz Mari. He is the only player on the team that is between the ages of 24 and 31 – the generational gap is clear. Are the ‘32ers ready? KEY PLAYERS LIAM WILLIAMS Goalkeeper – Wales (2 U21 Caps) – Age: 22 ('31 Youth Class) Liam Williams has been a great success story for the KYA, the same which has endeared him to the Kafra fans who consider him to have stood up in a time of crisis. For a few days after Jared Hinchliffe left in the middle of the 2033/34 season, there was a state tension and anxiety around the club as there was no obvious candidate to replace the ‘wonderkid who might be the next Shelton.’ Que in Liam Williams, who was in the midst of a loan year at Hampton & Richmond before getting the call to report back to Kafra Stadium immediately. He then had to go through the trauma off a broken leg in 2034/35 that limited him to just a quarter of a season before finally becoming a foundational piece of the team that earned promotion to the EPL in 2036. This season, he took it one step further, winning the league’s Young Player of the Year award while registering 1.75 Con/90, 9 Clean Sheets, 6 PoMs (!), and 7.28 AR – it is safe to say that without him, this team would have been the worst defensive team in the league and would be looking forward to a season in the Championship next year. He becomes the first GK in the history of the club to capture the Kafra Player of the Year award and should surely be in the running to earn his first Cap for Wales. BENDEGUZ MARI Midfielder/Attacking Midfielder (Centre) – Hungary (44 Caps/5 Goals) – Age: 28 ('25 Youth Class) Almost everyone associated with the club wanted to see Mari perform in the Premier League, and for the most part, he did not disappoint. His bag of tricks was on display more often than not, and he thrilled numerous stadiums around the country. Could he have been more consistent? The answer to that question is yes, but then again, with the clear talent disparity between the EPL teams and Kafra, not many can bemoan the fact that his season was good but not spectacular. In 33 Appearances, he registered 5 Goals, 5 Assists, 3 PoMs, 2.08 T/90, 1.80 D/90, and 7.06 AR, down from 7.46 AR last season in the Championship. The ‘Zidane of Kafra’ shares a lot of similarities with the legendary French midfielder, albeit in a less talented form, and he remains central to Ni Ezz’s plans. He is, without a doubt, the greatest player the KYA has produced outside of the ’22 Generation, and there is hope that he will do a lot better next season now that he has a year of PL experience under his belt. TOM DAWSON Striker – England (Capped at U20 level) – Age: 32 ('22 Youth Class) The GOAT. Kafra’s greatest ever, without a doubt. Just seeing him play in the Premier League – and score 17 Goals – was reason enough to celebrate the season. No one deserved to taste Premier League competition more than Dawson, who stuck through the club through thick and thin and never wavered. His exploits in the Championship made him the division’s greatest ever scorer and amongst the best ever in terms of accomplishments. He didn’t have the most consistent season this year (35 Appearances, 17 Goals, 2 Assists, 4 PoMs, 6.81 AR), but the last time he registered below 7.00+ AR, it was the club’s first season in the Championship. He is perhaps just past his prime now, but history points to the fact that Dawson’s first season in a new division is always his worst in said division. The hope is that he will be able to accomplish the same feat in his second season in the Premier League. HOT PROSPECTS & OTHER NOTES THE BACK: The fact that Kafra’s defense was not the worst in the league is a victory. They were ranked 18th out of the 20 teams, with Brentford and Aston Villa (both relegated) being the two teams that had a leakier backline than the Lions. Most of that was down to the brilliance of GK Liam Williams, but one of the best players on the squad this season (best being relative) was 23-year-old DC Kingsley Folorunsho (33 Apps, 1.45 T/90, 3.36 Int/90, 6.83 AR), who had the highest AR out of any starter outside of Williams and Hungarian international Bendeguz Mari. The Nigerian U23 international is not considered a PL-level talent by the club’s analytical staff, but he continues to overachieve and overperform. The only other notable defender, both in short-term and long-term consideration, is Jamie Saunders (33 Apps, 2.81 T/90, 4.01 Int/90, 6.73 AR), who had a difficult first season in the Premier League but continues to carry a 5*/5 PA rating. The 21-year-old RB is known for his physical strength as well as being very driven mentally, although he has been a starter for just two years. Outside of those two, the current defenders on the first team are just fillers, and the KYA has not produced enough defensive talent to be optimistic for a big change in the coming few years. THE MIDDLE AND FRONT: One of the most exciting things to happen last season was the debut of Charles Howe (’37 YC), who started his first match before turning 16 years old. He has already drawn comparisons to the legendary David Beckham and has shown improvement in his game despite being with the first team for just a few months. Ni Ezz has made no secret that the youngster will have a starting spot in the center of the pitch – most likely alongside 21-year-old Kosovan international Gentjan Krasniqi (’32 YC – 36 Apps, 2 Gls, 3 Asts, 6.79 AR) – come the beginning of next season and is ready to go through the growing pains with the youngster. He is not the only exciting prospect in the middle of the pitch, however – players like Chris Farrell (’36 YC) and Alex Borrowdale (’35 YC – 35 Apps, 2 Gls, 2 Asts, 2.88 T/90, 3.43 D/90, 6.66 AR) are already part of the first team rotation along with 21-year-old Swedish U21 international Olof Thorn (23 Apps, 4 Gls, 6.95 AR). END OF SEASON

YOUTH INTAKE 2037

KAFRA FC 2035/36 TEAM REVIEW CHAMPIONSHIP: 6th Place (Promoted) – FA CUP: 5th Round – CARABAO CUP: 2nd Round The summer was spent fighting off suitors for the club’s top players, with the rampage to tear the club apart starting mere days after it finished in a record 9th Place and was starting to carry the look of a future Premier League club. Its youth academy stars were blossoming, and despite the sale of its top GK prospect Jared Hinchliffe a couple of seasons ago, the KYA was churning out talent like never before. In addition, the stars of the ’22 Generation, such as arguably the Championship finest ever scorer in Tom Dawson, were shining alongside emerging stars such as Aaron Bruce and Hungarian international Bendeguz Mari, making a Play-Off spot battle a reasonable goal to strive for. The team that started the 2035/36 season, instead, was gutted right in its heart – the midfield. Aaron Bruce was sold to German side Leipzig for a fee that could be worth up to £29M, making him the club’s largest ever transfer fee received. Along with him went Kyriakos Konstantinou, who was sold to Norwich for £5.5M thanks to the clause he insisted on when signing his last contract with the club. Both their departures followed the loss of the only captain the club has ever known, Kady Rendell, who would not sign a new contract and wanted a new challenge. In under two months, the top three central midfielders in the rotation, including the club’s biggest young talent, had vanished, and Ni Ezz was left to see how he could mend the huge wound right in the club’s heart. Not only was it mended, but the team responded in the best way possible – they pushed themselves in a season where many predicted they would be closer to the relegation zone than a Play-Off spot, lead by the ‘Zidane of Kafra’, Bendeguz Mari and the ‘Haaland of the Championship’ Tom Dawson. The former became the only player in the division’s history to win its Player of the Year award twice, while the latter broke his own record by becoming the first player to win the Championship Top Goalscorer award five times, as well as the first in its history to win it three times in a row – this happened enroute to winning a promotion in the most intense fashion (penalty shootout) in front of 87,000 people at Wembley as Kafra defeated Watford to confirm its participation in the top league in the world next season, the English Premier League. Liam Williams, whose rise to becoming the No.1 in the Kafra team sheet came abruptly as he was called back from loan two seasons ago after Hinchliffe left, was the hero of the day, winning the Man of the Match award for his heroics in between the sticks for his club, including his save that sent the Lions to the EPL. The club enter the 2036 summer with the challenge of the Premier League looming for the first time. Since the club’s first match almost fourteen years ago, the goal was clear and concise: build up a team only through the KYA that can hold its own in the Premier League. Next season, that goal becomes a reality. The investment in training and youth facilities has been paying off, and they are as good as any other club’s facilities across the planet. The foundation has been set – will the team be able to face this challenge and survive their first season in the Premier League? KEY PLAYERS BENDEGUZ MARI Midfielder/Attacking Midfielder (Centre) – Hungary (38 Caps/4 Goals) – Age: 27 ('25 Youth Class) Who else could it have been? From the first match of the season when he netted a brace against Lincoln City to his commanding performance at Wembley to defeat Watford, Bendeguz Mari has been Kafra’s inspiration all season long, becoming the only player to in the Championship division’s history to win its Player of the Year award twice. The numbers speak for themselves: 42 Appearances, 14 Goals, 13 Assists, 8 PoMs, 2.07 T/90, 2.38 D/90, 1.64 KP/90, and 7.46 AR, up from 7.26 AR last season. There is no doubting that the ‘Zidane of Kafra’ has the talent to do just as well in the Premier League, and the loyalty he has shown the club over the past few seasons has been an important stabilizing force in the presence of the Hinchliffe and Bruce departures. That is why, when Kady Rendell left on Free Transfer last summer, Ni Ezz had no second thoughts about handing Mari the captaincy. This season, the Hungarian international and star became only the second captain in Kafra’s history, perhaps officially ushering in a new era for the club as the ’22 Generation hands the mantle over to the new blood. Hungary will not be at the European Championship at Germany 2036, so the world will miss out on witnessing the flair and brilliance of Mari, but he will be on full display in a few months amongst the very best in the world in the Premier League. TOM DAWSON Striker – England (Capped at U20 level) – Age: 31 ('22 Youth Class) His red card in the first Play-Off leg against Sunderland – which Kafra won at home 2-0 – meant that Dawson missed the epic showdown at Wembley against Watford. Nonetheless, the team would not have made it that far with the undisputed champion of the Championship, its greatest ever scorer and one of its greatest players of all-time. For a record 5th time, he won the Championship Goalscorer of the Year award, netting 39 Goals, the second highest mark of his career behind last season’s 41 Goals. He played in 42 Games and also registered 4 PoMs, 52% ST, and 7.17 AR, down from 7.33 AR last season. He now has 388 League Goals over the course of his career, which makes it likely he will cross the legendary 400 mark sometime next season. If there is anyone who deserves to be in the Premier League after fourteen years of fighting, it is Dawson. His loyalty to the club never faltered, and it seems every season he comes back working even harder than the last. He is an absolute club legend that has fully earned his time in the limelight and will hopefully show the EPL a thing or too about tenacity. GANIYU ‘TURBO’ OJO Winger (Left) – England (Capped at U20 level) – Age: 30 ('22 Youth Class) No matter what the future holds in store of the Kafra Lions, ‘Turbo’ Ojo will always remain the first ever fans’ favorite – the first ever legend of the club. This season, he became the only player in club history to register 100 Goals and 100 Assists over his career, a feat no other player has come close to achieving yet. In 37 Games, he registered 5 Goals, 11 Assists, 2 PoMs, 4.01 T/90, 2.90 D/90, and 7.24 AR, up from 7.16 AR last season. This was his best season since the club got promoted to the Championship eight seasons ago, and he was foundational piece for the team’s promotion to the Premier League – as if it could have been any other way. Even as he crosses 30 years of age, ‘Turbo’ continues to live up to his famous monikor – take his 7.84 Presses Completed/90, easily the highest on the team. He is an endless stream of energy down the left wing, dedicated as much effort defending as he does on offense. He remains the most popular player in the club’s history. LIAM WILLIAMS Goalkeeper – Wales (2 U21 Caps) – Age: 21 ('31 Youth Class) Incredibly, this was Liam Williams’ first full season since Hinchliffe departed the club – last season, he suffered a broken leg that limited him to only 19 Games. A calm, albeit slightly passive, personality, he has brought the stability needed between the sticks and actually carries a 5*/5 PA rating. In 45 Games, he registered 1.49 Con/90, 11 Clean Sheets, and 7.07 AR, up from 7.02 AR last season. The biggest criticism about him is that he doesn’t seem to have that drive needed to become a top player, despite his potential. He is a great shot-stopper, and although he isn’t the most athletic of GKs, it is obvious he has natural GK instincts. The Welsh U21 international is still extremely young, especially for his position, and although he will never be as good as Jared Hinchliffe, the club got promoted with Williams being one of its best players this season. GENTJAN KRASNIQI Midfielder (Centre) – Kosovo (5 Caps/1 Goal) – Age: 20 ('32 Youth Class) The ’32 Youth Class, when it first emerged, had three ‘top’ prospects – Swedish striker Olof Thorn, GK Aaron Hard, and defender Jamie Saunders. Krasniqi, who was born in Kosovo, was considered a decent prospect but not one to turn any heads. Fast forward four years, and it is Krasniqi who is now an international player who has delivered a better season than all three of the players mentioned. With Bruce, Konstantinou, and Rendell all exiting the club, Krasniqi was elevated to a starting role in which he responded magnificently – in 38 Games, he registered 3 Goals, 7 Assists, 1.44 T/90, 86% PC, and 7.08 AR. His PA has jumped to 5*/5 from the 4/5 he graduated the KYA with, and his CA amongst the highest on the team at 3.5/5, a testament to his driven and resolute character. Not one for the limelight, he has shown great improvement in all important aspects of the game, including his physical attributes. The loss of the three CMs was devastating, but Krasniqi’s season managed to mitigate the blow. HOT PROSPECTS & OTHER NOTES THE BACK: Let there be no mistake – the defense was not good this season despite the promotion to the Premier League. Liam Williams had several great games between the sticks, but in front of him, only Jim Hoy (’22 Youth Class – 43 Apps (30 Starts), 1.57 T/90, 4.68 Int/90, 7.06 AR) managed to average over 7.00 AR. The 31-year-old ’22 Generation DC turned in the finest season of his career, proving to his doubters that he was capable of earning the new three-year contract he had signed last summer. He has now played in 561 League Games for the club, a feat his partner at the center of the backline Kingsley Folorunsho (’29 YC - 34 Apps, 1.49 T/90, 6.88 AR) will hope to emulate. The 22-year-old has officially declared for Nigeria and has earned a few U23 Caps for his nation of origin. After two consecutive 7.00+ AR seasons, his form regressed this season, mainly due to an abdominal injury he picked up in late February that ruled him out for over a month and gave him trouble throughout the rest of the season. Nonetheless, there is the expectation that he will find the form needed because Ni Ezz has become reliant on him in the back of the pitch. The defense remains a very big work in progress, and there is a lot of worry coming out of the Kafra camp that the team simply does not have any PL-level defenders on its roster. THE MIDDLE AND FRONT: Last season, the only captain the club had known in Kady Rendell left on Free Transfer – this season, the departure of another ’22 Generation icon in Per Bruun (37 Apps, 2 Gls, 14 Asts, 3 PoMs, 7.06 AR), as he is set to join Cremonese (who just got relegated from the Serie A), will be forthcoming. The Kafra all-time Assist man, who has delivered 148 Assists in League competition over the course of his career, has been a loyal and true servant of the club, with only the amount of injuries he picked up being a little blemish on an otherwise remarkable fourteen year career with the club. Replacing him down the right wing will be 17-year-old 5*/5 PA prospect Alex Borrowdale (’35 YC – 15 Apps, 3 Asts, 3.05 T/90, 2.33 D/90, 6.74 AR), who finished up his rookie year on a strong note despite an inconsistent first season. In front of them, Olof Thorn (22 Apps (7 Starts), 7 Gls, 6.79 AR) has had his ratings dropped slightly to 4.5/5 PA, but he has become one of the club’s most popular players. The 19-year-old Swedish striker continues to wait for his opportunity behind Dawson, and is the second choice striker of the club. END OF SEASON

Yes! Finally - had a run in the Championship that was tough to break through. Update will be up soon.

That s*** was intense. I need some water.

YOUTH INTAKE 2036

This is total BS - I don't want my team gutted for money we don't need!

KAFRA FC 2034/35 TEAM REVIEW CHAMPIONSHIP: 10th Place – FA CUP: 5th Round – CARABAO CUP: 1st Round After spending years in the Championship mid-table battles, Kafra FC seems to finally be pulling itself out of that and into the Play-Off hunt conversation. Last season, they finished a record-high 9th Place, and although they dropped a spot to 10th this season, the optimism built up over the last two years continues to gain steam. Not many people will tell you that this team is worse off than it was three years ago, and what was once considered a grave mistake (the switching of formations and running the ball through the middle as opposed to the wings) is now looked upon as a stroke of genius – especially with the emergence of Aaron Bruce and how it has turned Tom Dawson into the division’s most dangerous player over the past few seasons. Let’s start with the numbers – yes, the squad dropped once place but the 10th spot that they earned is still the second highest they have achieved in the Championship. They did so by gaining 68 Points, just one less than last year, but scored four more goals, bringing their total to 88 from 84. The defense took a slight dip for the worse, but that is expected considering ‘wonderkid’ Jared Hinchliffe left for Crystal Palace last year and his replacement at the No.1 position, 20-year-old Welsh GK Liam Williams, was injured for most of the season with a broken leg. It is actually surprising, considering the historical struggle on defense of the club, that the squad managed to finish as the 18th best defense (out of 24), and not amongst the last two or three. The offense, the 2nd best in the league, was led by Dawson’s new club record of 41 League Goals, who won the Top Goalscorer award for the second year in a row and a Championship record of 4 total times now. He was crowned the Kafra Player of the Year for the 5th time, equaling ‘Turbo’ Ojo’s record and perhaps solidifying himself as Kafra’s GOAT over its first 20 years of existence. Injuries certainly played a part in how the season went – several key players were out for extended periods of time and Ni Ezz had to reach on the teenagers a lot more than he would have liked. Still, the club remains optimistic about its immediate future, and there is a strong conviction within the camp that the Premier League opportunity is not that far off anymore. The facilities are as good as they can be, the coaching staff improves year after year, and the KYA has been turning out what look like potential gems, especially in the center of the pitch. Nothing yet of note of the KYA in Accra, Ghana, but there are murmurs of talent in the area. KEY PLAYERS TOM DAWSON Striker – England (Capped at U20 level) – Age: 30 ('22 Youth Class) Is he the Championship’s greatest ever goalscorer? It is a fair question at this point – he has won the Championship Top Goalscorer award a record four times, and while the 41 Goals he scored this year has been topped once before (Mitrovic with Fulham in 2021/22 scored 43 Goals), Dawson has now delivered an unprecedented four seasons with 34 or more Goals. He has now spent seven years in the division (same as the club), accomplishing all the above in that timespan. In fact, since 2020 up until the current day, Dawson has been named in the divisions Overall Best Eleven having been named to its Team of the Year four times. Of course, if you can ask the player, he would trade it all for the opportunity to play and succeed in the Premier League, but there is no denying he has been the team’s most important player through the past two decades. An absolute club legend and now an undeniable Championship one, as well. BENDEGUZ MARI Midfielder/Attacking Midfielder (Centre) – Hungary (32 Caps/4 Goals) – Age: 25 ('25 Youth Class) The former three-time Kafra Player of the Year was one of the players who had to deal with injuries that put a dampen on his season – he played in only 33 Games after suffering injuries to his abdominal muscles, hamstring, and ankle throughout the season. He missed a total of almost three months, and at times found it difficult to reintegrate quickly after a long absence. Despite all that, Mari was undeniably still the main man up front behind Dawson, as his 10 Assists would testify. In reality, he had a fine season for what it is worth – 33 Apps, 3 Goals, 10 Assists, 2 PoMs, 1.98 T/90, 2.27 D/90, and 7.26 AR – yes, it is a significant drop from his career- high of 7.56 last season, but it was still amongst the top in the Championship. He has also become one of Hungary’s most important players, even if their ranking has dropped significantly over the course of the last few years. Mari is widely considered one of the division’s most creative and exciting players and has been designated as the ‘Zidane’ of the Kafra Lions. He remains the Kafra Youth Academy’s greatest product, and with Kady Rendell most likely heading out of the club this summer, Mari might be in line to be named the club’s new captain. GANIYU ‘TURBO’ OJO Winger (Left) – England (Capped at U20 level) – Age: 29 ('22 Youth Class) The fans’ favorite since day one, ‘Turbo’ Ojo represents everything that endeared peopled to Kafra FC – tenacity, drive, will, and hard work. The yellow cards (and red) remain a problem as he is always in fifth gear, but despite his injuries (he only had 30 Appearances this season), this was perhaps his best since joining the Championship. He registered 8 Goals, 6 Assists, 3.85 T/90, 2.52 D/90, and 7.16 AR, a significant rise from 6.94 AR last season. In fact, it was his highest mark in the seven seasons the club has been in the Championship. His best buddy is Tom Dawson and between them they have won 10 of the 13 Kafra Player of the Year awards that have been given out. There might be some talent coming through on the left wing, but ‘Turbo’ has the starting position locked up as long as he stays healthy. The most popular player in club history thus far. KYRIAKOS KONSTANTINOU Midfielder (Centre) – Cyprus (15 Caps/1 Goal) – Age: 25 ('25 Youth Class) The Cypriot international went from an afterthought of the ’25 Youth Class (same as Bendeguz Mari) to one of the club’s most important players this season. The build-up from youth player to foundational piece of the first team took years, but the result has been quite worth it. In 43 Appearances, he registered 2 Goals, 12 Assists, 4 PoMs, 2.81 T/90, 1.55 D/90, and 7.16 AR, a career-high and a big jump from 7.00 AR of last year. The 12 Assists were tied for top on the team (with Aaron Bruce), and tied for 5th in the division, with his passing prowess on full display. He’s had his struggles with Per Bruun over the years but it has not affected either one’s form. In a midfield that is deep with talent, Konstantinou has stood out and has become one of Ezz’s most trusted soldiers. The media have an affinity towards him and his shirt was the 5th most popular in sales this year for the club. AARON BRUCE Midfielder (Centre) – England (Capped at U19) – Age: 19 ('31 Youth Class) There was an expectation, after an impressive sophomore campaign, that Bruce would try to force his way out of the club and into the Premier League. It had worked for Hinchliffe, and with such obvious potential, it seemed only logical for Bruce to follow suit, especially as there was (and still is) no shortage of takers. Instead, Bruce surprised many by re-committing to the club, cementing publicly the fact that he was a Kafra and Ni Ezz supporter and believed in the team. He has been touted as potentially the ‘next Paul Gascoigne’ for a couple of years now, and he did not disappoint this season – in 43 Appearances (35 Starts), he registered 7 Goals, 12 Assists, 2.67 T/90, 1.50 D/90, 32 CCCs, and 7.13 AR, up from 6.81 AR last season. Although Bendeguz Mari is the more complete player, Bruce has drawn comparisons to his teammate, and while he might not quite have the dramatic touch the Hungarian does, many consider Bruce a better passer and playmaker. The summer will likely see numerous offers for the English midfielder, but with his contract have him staying on until 2039 with an additional three-year extension clause for the club, Bruce is being counted on to be a foundational piece for the next generation of Kafra stars. KINGSLEY FOLONRUNSHO Defender (Centre) – Nigeria (Capped at U23) – Age: 21 ('29 Youth Class) The 2034 Championship Young Player of the Year recipient last season, Kingsley Folonrunsho has become the leader of the backline despite his young age. Having declared for Nigeria last summer, the professional and charismatic defender is hoping to earn his first Cap for the African nation having now submitted two impressive seasons in a row as his case. In 40 Games, he registered 2 Goals, 2 PoMs, 1.21 T/90, 4.44 Int/90, and 7.03 AR, just slightly down from the 7.05 AR of last season. He is considered one of the brightest defensive prospects in the Championship today and has been the source of interest from Premier League clubs. He is not a complete player – his technical skills leave a lot to be desired and while he has sufficient strength to play his position optimally, he is lacking when it comes to speed. Those are not things that will get fixed, but Ezz has utilized him in a way that focuses on his strengths (defensive skills and strong aerial ability) and it has worked. Folonrunsho has played well enough to foster expectations, and so far he has shown himself capable of rising to challenges put in front of him. EDISON DOSTI Defender (Left) – Belgium (Capped at U19) – Age: 21 ('29 Youth Class) The most shocking about Dosti is that he is still only 21 despite playing with the first team for five years now. Otherwise, he is as drama-free and balanced as they come, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s friendly with the media, as well. He also managed to have the best season of his career this year – in 35 Games, he registered 2.77 T/90, 6.19 Int/90, 2.98 Clr/90, and 7.05 AR, a career-high and a nice jump from 6.89 AR last season. He tends to get overlooked when the conversation is about the positives of Kafra FC, but he has shown improvement in every year he has played and has become the undisputed starter at the left-back position for the club. Part of the ’29 Youth Class along with Kingsley Folonrunsho that is now responsible for half of the starting backline, Dosti has similar strengths and weaknesses to the Nigerian. His defensive skills, however, are unquestionable, and he looks to be part of the set-up for a while. LIAM WILLIAMS Goalkeeper – Wales – Age: 20 ('31 Youth Class) The Jerad Hinchliffe drama, which led to his mid-season sale for £22.5M to Crystal Palace last season, abruptly placed Williams in the No.1 position without any type of build-up. Impressively, the Welsh GK rose up to the challenge and ended last season with 7.17 AR in 19 Games. Then came the broken leg – picked up during the second game of the season, it ruled Williams out for most of the year and he only managed to play 19 Games this year, again. The good news is he returned in March and looks to have not missed a beat – he finished the year with 1.37 Con/90, 4 Clean Sheets, and 7.02 AR. Despite everything that has happened over the past couple of seasons, he still carries a 5*/5 PA rating and publicly spoke about his appreciation to his manager for sticking by him during his injury recovery. Now, however, comes time for expectations – he will start next season injury-free and mentally ready, so there can be no more excuses. If the club are going to get to the Premier League, it looks likely to be with Williams in between the sticks. HOT PROSPECTS & OTHER NOTES THE BACK: For the past couple of years, manager Ni Ezz has been working on phasing out the ’22 Generation defenders and bringing in fresh blood. Edison Dosti and Kingsley Folonrunsho have battled their way to starting positions, and Liam Williams was gifted the No.1 jersey after Hinchliffe forced a moved out of the club last season. Next season, however, will be the first time that the starting lineup will feature no ’22 Generation players. Alongside Folonrunsho will be Welsh defender Derek Edwards (’33 YC – 11 Apps, 6.60 AR) and 4.5/5 PA prospect Ryan Foley (’34 YC) in the center of the line, while at right-back Jamie Saunders (’32 YC – 19 Apps, 6.79 AR) will take hold of the spot. Whether it is a smart idea putting such young players alongside each other without veteran leadership or not, Ni Ezz seems committed to finding and developing the team that will propel Kafra into the Premier League. The ’22 Generation starters, while durable, resilient, and relatively consistent, they never delivered a top defensive season – in fact, for the most part, the club struggled on this end of the pitch while the offense carried it to victories. The thinking is even if it is too early to put them together or even if they have not proven if they are talented enough or not yet, the results can’t be much worse than they are now. THE MIDDLE AND FRONT: This is where Kafra FC and the Kafra Youth Academy shine – in the middle of the pitch. Mari, Konstantinou, and Bruce are already stars for the team, but the first team rotation also has Gentjan Krasniqi (’32 YC – 25 Apps, 2 Gls, 2 Asts, 3.65 T/90, 7.11 AR), who is now a full-fledged Kosovan international having earned his first Cap. The deepness of the position is needed because ’22 Generation icons like the only captain the club has ever known – Kady Rendell (36 Apps, 2 Gls, 2 Asts, 7.03 AR) – will be leaving this summer, which would also open an opportunity for 4.5/5 PA rated Lewys Jepson (’33 YC) to finally showcase his ability. Down the wings, a lot is expected of 5*/5 PA rated Alex Borrowdale (’35 YC), who already made his debut and played in 6 Games, registering 2 Goals, 3 Assists, 4.04 D/90, and 7.25 AR. He will play his first full season next year, and the rumor has it that Ezz will be putting the 16-year-old in the starting lineup immediately, effectively placing the oft-injured Per Bruun (31 Apps, 2 Gls, 9 Asts, 6.99 AR) on the bench and part of the rotation. On the left, it looks like Junior Omgba (’34 YC – 9 Apps, 1 Assist, 6.62 AR), 17, is the current number two behind ‘Turbo’ Ojo, with the fellow African (Cameroon) also equally adept at playing up front. At the striker position, behind Dawson waits 18-year-old Swede Olof Thorn (24 Apps, 7 Gls, 6.92 AR), who continues to show improvement. END OF SEASON

The investments paying off big-time. Another great preview.

KAFRA FC 2033/34 TEAM REVIEW CHAMPIONSHIP: 9th Place – FA CUP: 3rd Round – CARABAO CUP: 1st Round Just as the critics were starting to suspect owner/manager Ni Ezz’s switch of formations to a single striker with Bendeguz Mari as the team’s magnet was a mistake and had yielded no different results, the 2033/34 season happened. No, they did not make it into the Play-Offs, and the mistakes they were guilty of as a squad in previous seasons remained there, albeit not so prominent. The growth, however, was obvious, and it was across the board – this squad was tested with sale of now-Crystal Palace GK Jared Hinchliffe, but they showed strong will and rallied behind their new No.1, 18-year-old Liam Williams from Croydon, just a bit of a drive north on Brighton Road from Kafra Stadium. Hinchliffe’s talent has been attracting interest from Premier League clubs for the past two years, but he became very vocal about wanted to leave the club and refused to sign any new deal that did not include a £12.5M Minimum Release Clause for a higher division club. He ended up forcing a move out of the club for a starting position at Crystal Palace mid-season for a record £22.5M, ending the tenure of the most talented GK – and perhaps most talented player, alongside Mari – the KYA has ever produced. But as mentioned, the club responded positively to this shocking move and did not allow it to distract them. The end result saw them finish in their highest-ever position at 9th Place, conceding the least amount of goals (68) since joining the division six seasons ago and re-positioning themselves as one of its top offensive (84 Goals, 2nd in Championship) teams. The latter was done behind Tom Dawson’s league-leading 34 Goals, which won him his third Championship Top Goalscorer award, becoming the first player in the division’s history to accomplish that feat. As for the now three-time Kafra Player of the Year and Hungarian star Mari, he signed a new contract mid-season that will keep at the club for the next five years just after Hinchliffe left for supposed greener pastures, endearing him even further with the club’s faithful. That was not all, however – his season was so spectacular that he became the second Kafra player to be named the Championship Player of the Year, with the first being Dawson in 2031. The Championship Young Player of the Year award, however, had never been won by a Kafra player until this season, when Kingsley Folonrunsho captured it having become one of the most impressive CDs in the division and perhaps the primary reason for the defensive improvement. With the 2033/34 season soon to be in hindsight and a World Cup (China 2034) summer coming up, Ni Ezz is reportedly very happy with the progress the club has made over its first twelve years of existence. From moving up the divisions (League Two to Championship) to now realistically looking to aim for a shot at making it to the most prestigious domestic competition in all of football, the club has done well. The Kafra Youth Academy HQ in London has done an excellent job developing talent and have seemingly found a knack for identifying strong GKs and Central Midfielders. Its second academy in Accra, Ghana, has yet to net any prospect that could become a first-team player, but it is early days. As for the club’s training and youth facilities, they remain state-of-the-art and rival any of the top clubs. KEY PLAYERS BENDEGUZ MARI Midfielder/Attacking Midfielder (Centre) – Hungary (23 Caps/3 Goals) – Age: 25 ('25 Youth Class) The newly crowned 2034 Championship Player of the Year won’t be at China 2034 this year since Hungary did not make it, but that will do nothing to put a blemish on what has been a remarkable season for the Zidane of Kafra FC. Before getting into the numbers and what made his season great, let’s talk about why Mari is well on his way to becoming an undisputed legend of the club. With the Hinchliffe drama unraveling and the star GK packing his bags and heading to Crystal Palace mid-season, the club and its fans were left blindsided and understandably feeling betrayed. In steps Mari, who instead of stoking fears that he might do the same and abandon the club, signs a new contract that made him the highest-paid player in club history at £29K per week and would keep him with Kafra for the next five years. Then he goes ahead and finishes the season having played in 39 Games, registering a career-high 15 Goals, 8 Assists, 5 PoMs, 30 CCCs, 1.81 T/90, 5.05 PrC/90, 1.97 D/90, and 7.56 AR, highest in the division and a new career-high. He was mesmerizing, dangerous with the ball, and played with purpose, controlling the flow of the game and finally making his manager look good for sticking by the plan of making Mari the center of the team’s creativity and making it work. At this point, it is an open secret that Mari will be the club’s next captain, with rumors starting to fly it might be as early as next season. He loves the club, he loves his manager, and he loves his teammates – his attitude has always been mature and he has always been a driven, hard-worker. As his career progresses, talk will begin increasing about Mari perhaps being the club’s GOAT. TOM DAWSON Striker – England (Capped at U20 level) – Age: 29 ('22 Youth Class) Championship Top Goalscorer recipient for the third time in the past four years, another 30+ Goals season, and his third Championship Select Team of the Year selection – that just about sums up Dawson’s fantastic season. The striker is undoubtedly the most accomplished player in the club’s history, and he remains the primary force behind its potent attack. Since his days in the League Two, Dawson has shown his natural ability to score is almost unrivalled – he is the first player in the Championship division’s history to win its Top Goalscorer award three times. He has now scored 308 League Goals over 495 League Appearances, and his 7.30 AR this season was the second-highest mark of his career, with his career average standing at 7.11 AR. He remains in the prime of his career, and one can expect similar results from the striker known as ‘Slingshot’ for the next few years. A club legend. KINGSLEY FOLONRUNSHO Defender (Centre) – England/Nigeria – Age: 20 ('29 Youth Class) The fact that he won the 2034 Championship Young Player of the Year award should speak enough. He’s had his share of critics, and for the first two seasons of his career, he did little to prove them wrong, registering no more than 6.56 AR in his first three seasons. Last year, however, Folonrunsho grew up, and this year, he completed his transformation. At the age of 20, the English/Nigerian DC can confidently consider himself one of the best at his position in the Championship. In 41 Games, he registered 3 Goals, 1.33 T/90, 4.09 Int/90, 2.40 Clr/90, and 7.05 AR, up from 6.82 AR and a new career-high. He does not carry the 5*/5 PA rating anymore – it is now 3.5/5 PA – but he has become perhaps Ezz’s most important foundation piece in the back, alongside Belgian left-back Dosti. There is a sense that Kingsley should be more of a player than he is now considering how highly he was built up coming out of the KYA, but the young defender has already proven his worth, and importance, to the team. OTHER NOTABLES & HOT PROSPECTS THE BACK: The ’22 Generation defenders have quietly continued to go about their business, but as it will stand at the beginning of next season, it might be that only one of them will remain a starter. Folonrunsho has already cemented one of the DC positions as his own, and the left-back position is firmly in the grasp of 20-year-old Belgian Edison Dosti (’29 Youth Class – 37 Apps, 2.20 T/90, 5.31 Int/90, 6.89 AR), who continues to impress with his development. This was his finest season to date, making his third season as a starter a charm. He is a no-nonsense type and is known to be engaging with the media and the fans…….The backline was also introduced to right-back Jamie Saunders (’32 YC – 6 Apps, 6.60 AR), 18, and Derek Edwards (’33 YC – 6 Apps, 6.78 AR), who is only 17 but can play both as DC and right-back. The backroom staff are already planning for their backline of the future to be Dosti, Folonrunsho, Edwards, and Saunders, but the latter two still have a lot of developing to do…….They will be doing it in front of Kafra’s new No.1, 19-year-old Welsh GK Liam Williams (19 Apps, 1.37 Con/90, 5 Clns, 7.17 AR), who was abruptly recalled from his loan at Hampton and Richmond and immediately given his debut after Jared Hinchliffe left the club. Williams responded brilliantly, and by the end of the season, there was little doubting his ability. He carries a 5*/5 PA, and although he might not be a long-term solution, there is enough excitement about his potential to carry hope he could end up being a Premier League-level GK. THE MIDDLE AND FRONT: The prospect that has the Kafra coaching staff most excited about his potential is 18-year-old midfielder Aaron Bruce (’31 YC – 45 Apps, 1 Goal, 6 Asts, 2.22 T/90, 6.81 AR), who covered at both the CM and left winger positions this season. Coveted by several PL clubs already, Bruce is in line to become the next big thing that came out of the KYA. His talent speaks for itself – his passing and vision are exemplary and he is a fun player to watch. To give an idea of what kind of player he is, many in the media are comparing him to a young Paul Gascoigne, high praise indeed if he ends up living up to that potential…….He isn’t the only 18-year-old CM who carries a 5*/5 PA on the squad – introducing Kosovan ‘promising midfielder’ Gentjan Krasniqi (’32 YC – 18 Apps, 1 Goal, 1 Ast, 6.90 AR), who was born in Obilic, Kosova, just outside the city of Pristina. Recruited by the KYA along with a few other prospects from the area, Krasniqi has impressed as a member of the rotation and could be in line for more playing time as he grows…….For both Bruce and Krasniqi to become full-time starters, they have to get through captain Kady Rendell (42 Apps (29 Starts), 8 Asts, 40.87 PC/90, 1.83 KP/90, 2.09 T/90, 7.10 AR) and Cypriot international Kyriakos Konstantinou (’25 YC – 42 Apps (25 Starts), 4 Gls, 6 Asts, 2.22 KP/90, 2.60 T/90, 1.05 D/90, 7.00 AR). The only captain the club has ever known, Rendell, is now just one game away from a club record of 500 League Appearances, and his 7.10 AR was the third-highest of his career. The 29-year-old is a living definition of the ’22 Generation, but it is getting more difficult to keep talented youngsters at bay as they develop. Konstantinou, 24, has become a favorite of both the club’s backroom and the fans, and has now appeared in 10 Caps for his home country. He has become one of Ezz’s most reliable and trusted players, despite being relatively unheralded coming out of the ’25 Youth Class…….Out on the wings, it was a throwback to the 2020s when Ganiyu ‘Turbo’ Ojo (36 Apps, 5 Gls, 9 Asts, 3.10 T/90, 1.94 D/90, 6.94 AR) and Danish right-winger Per Bruun (36 Apps, 2 Gls, 11 Asts, 3 PoMs, 3.45 T/90, 3.07 D/90, 6.98 AR) were the main source of distribution for the front-line. Ojo, 28, is perhaps the most popular figure in club history, while Bruun continues to add to his Assists record, having now reached 125 over the course of his career. These days, things run through Mari in the center, but Bruun still led the team in assists. As for Ojo, 15 yellow cards. He is called ‘Turbo’ for a reason, and his motor never stops but that also leads to a lot of 50/50 balls ending up with Ojo seeing yellow. Which is precisely why he is the most popular figure in club history. Up front, Dawson’s backup is 17-year-old Swedish striker Olof Thorn (11 Apps, 5 Gls, 7.05 AR) was downgraded to a 4.5/5 PA rating after not showing quite enough development, but Ezz continues to maintain that Thorn could be potentially Dawson’s successor when the times comes. END OF SEASON

YOUTH INTAKE 2034

There really should be an option to stop the board from doing this. It's so pointless - we are not even struggling financially. It really takes the drain out of some saves. Work so hard to develop players like this so we can push into the PL (and stay there), and this self-sabotaging crap is so frustrating.

I don't usually update with Youth Previews but this is the best one I think I have ever had. Hoping for the best!

Thanks! The last few seasons in the Championship (including the current one) have just been fire for Dawson. He's at 1:1 this season in the League so far. Thank you so much for commenting.

KAFRA FC 2032/33 TEAM REVIEW CHAMPIONSHIP: 14th Place – FA CUP: 3rd Round – CARABAO CUP: 3rd Round The development of the team as it tries to transition from the ’22 Generation – the one that has taken the club from the League 2 to the Championship in a few short years – to the new prospects, as talented as they may become, continued to hit obstacles this season. Kafra recorded only 55 Points, its lowest since coming into the Championship division in 2028/29. Mind you, the 14th Place finish was the not lowest they have recorded in the division – that distinction goes to last season, when they finished in 16th Place. Two seasons into the 4-5-1 formation that was supposed to push the team over their plateau and into Play-Off contention territory has not manifested its destiny as intended, with critics calling for a utilizing of the 4-4-2 formation that made use of the second striker so efficiently, Christopher Guiller scored 30 Goals and led the Championship in scoring just a few seasons ago. If manager Ni Ezz is anything, however, it is strong-willed and stubborn. He insisted in his exit interview that the club was on the right track, and despite scoring less goals, conceding more, and recorded less points than the previous season, Ezz pointed to the improvement in the league position as evidence of improvement. He also pointed to the fact the club lost one less game this season, drawing three more in which he said were “easily winnable” – the takeaway is that the manager, at least publicly, has displayed optimism in the new formation and the new crop of players that will be tasked with leading the team into the highest level of domestic club football – the English Premier League. Of course, that is still a dream that has yet to begin its process of turning into a reality, but if it is to happen, the Kafra Player of the Year for the second season in a row, Hungarian international Bendeguz Mari, will likely be at the center of the revolution. This is not to underplay the importance of Tom Dawson and his 27 Goals, good enough for 2nd best in the Championship – the club legend has been the Championship Top Goalscorer recipient for the past two seasons, scoring 38 and 35 goals, respectively. If there is anything that works right on this squad, it is the offense. Critics, however, will say there is much work to be done and that 14th Place was kind on the team. No longer young trailblazers that have the world in front of them, the ’22 Generation is now in its prime years and it has become clear that they need help – and a lot of it – to move up divisions. Jared Hinchliffe, who has enough potential to be an England international one day, is a good start, as are the likes of Belgian left-back Edison Dosti and CM Aaron Bruce, who are both still in their teenage years. The facilities – whether training, youth, or networking – are world-class, in line with some of the top clubs in the world. There is no denying that the level of talent coming through the KYA has increased substantially, but can one academy deliver enough talent to compete with the best in the world? That question remains unanswered 11 years onwards. KEY PLAYERS BENDEGUZ MARI Midfielder/Attacking Midfielder (Centre) – Hungary (16 Caps/3 Goals) – Age: 24 ('25 Youth Class) The now two-time Kafra Player of the Year award winner was the first Kafra player in club history to represent it at a major tournament, playing with Hungary at the European Championship at Italy 2032, which England ended up winning over France. Hungary couldn’t make it out of Group B, but Mari held his own and was considered one of his nation’s best players. He delivered another class Mari season this year – 36 Appearances, 8 Goals, 7 Assists, 6 PoMs, 22 CCCs, 1.60 KP/90, 1.63 T/90, 2.72 Int/90, 2.54 D/90, and 7.27 AR, down a bit from a career-high 7.34 AR last season. He was involved in every aspect of the game despite his advanced position in the midfield, and his dramatic dribbles and moves continue to endear him to the fans. He is quick, he is relatively strong, a good passer, but it is definitely his flair that takes him that extra step up as a footballer – the even better part is that he does it while under control. In fact, the way he dictates the tempo of the game is one of the biggest points of his game, much like a less skilled (and inspiring) version of Zidane, the French Maestro. He carries a great mentality and has publicly spoken about his desire to one day be named captain of the club. Well on his way to becoming a club legend already, imagine he leads the club to the Premier League. For now, he is the most skilled player the KYA has ever produced and the fanciest Kafra has to offer currently. TOM DAWSON Striker – England (Capped at U20 level) – Age: 28 ('22 Youth Class) When you get disappointed you finished ‘only’ in 2nd Place as the best goalscorer in the Championship this season, you know must have scored a lot of goals over the past few years. The now former two-time Top Goalscorer recipient over the last two seasons having scored 38 and 35 Goals could only muster up 27 Goals this season, the same amount three seasons ago. Yes, that adds up to a lot of goals – his 274 League Goals over his career is the most of any player by a long shot. He has thrived as the lone man up front, even as the goals for the club have dwindled overall. At one point, Kafra were the finest offense in the Championship – this year, they ranked as the 10th best. Dawson, of course, is what made sure they finished no less than that – in addition to the 27 Goals he also registered 3 Assists, 4 PoMs, 1.01 D/90, and 7.04 AR, down from 7.12 AR last season. He is the vice-captain and he earned himself a new contract that will pay him £19.25K per week, the richest in club history. JARED HINCHLIFFE Goalkeeper – England (4 U21 Caps) – Age: 19 ('30 Youth Class) When teams such as Chelsea, Man City, and Liverpool come knocking, their call becomes nearly impossible to refuse. For now, Ni Ezz continues to hold out on entertaining talks concerning the young GK, much to Hinchliffe’s apparent dismay. Many already consider him of Premier League-level talent, despite not even turning 20 yet, and his ambitions to move to a bigger club became public early in the season. As a result, his form suffered, dropping to 6.93 AR from 7.05 AR last season, with 7 Clean Sheets and 1.80 Con/90, as well. This is a situation that looks like a long-term issue – Hinchliffe and his agent refuse to budge on having a clause that will require the player to be sold to a club of a higher division if an offer comes in, which would basically ensure his sale this summer. Ezz naturally has refused adding the clause knowing full well what it would mean, and right now there is no rush for a decision. Hinchliffe is signed through the 2035/36 season, after which the club has a three-year extension clause. That being said, he continues to have a great attitude at work, improving drastically through the season as the coaching staff call him a great student. The comparisons to Peter Shilton just continue to get stronger. OTHER NOTABLES & HOT PROSPECTS THE BACK: Is Kingsley Folorunsho (’29 Youth Class – 45 Apps, 1.91 T/90, 4.12 Int/90, 6.82 AR) finally figuring it out? After rookie and sophomore campaigns that had many questioning just what was it that Ezz saw in the English/Nigerian defender, he transformed into perhaps the club’s most reliable DC during his third year. The 19-year-old is rated at 2.5/5 CA but still carries a 5*/5 PA rating, although he has yet to make an appearance at any level of either nation he can represent. Regardless, his incredible improvement has been a positive surprise for the squad, and he will start next season as an undisputed starter at DC……He wasn’t the only ’29 Youth Class graduate who has broken into the starting eleven, albeit 19-year-old Edison Dosti (’29 YC – 38 Apps, 2.01 T/90, 5.36 Int/90, 6.84 AR) did so last season. In just three seasons, Dosti has gone from averaging 6.55 AR to the 6.84 AR this year, which is a new career-high. That earned him a new contract that will pay him almost £4K per week as he continues to impress the coaching staff, despite a small drop in his ratings to 4.5/5 PA. Is he capable of being a PL-level left-back? The jury is still out on that one, but the fact that it is an actual debate is a win itself…….Jamie Saunders (’32 YC) made his debut, with the 17-year-old right-back appearing in 2 Games, registering 3.75 T/90 and 6.60 AR over his two starts. He is 5*/5 rated and has the ability to play both full-back positions comfortably, although he identifies as a right-back. The Kafra staff have said that although he is still raw, his commitment, determination, and bravery already make him stand out. THE MIDDLE AND FRONT: The ’22 Generation will be defined by a few players, one of them being Danish right winger Per Bruun (37 Apps, 5 Gls, 6 Asts, 5 PoMs, 3.36 D/90, 2.05 KP/90, 4.23 T/90, 7.10 AR), who failed to register 10 Assists for the first time in eight seasons and only the third time in his eleven year career. He is still Kafra’s all-time leading Assists man with 114 in 422 League Appearances, with the 28-year-old proving he can still play full seasons having done so last year, as well. He does, however, have to face a number of young right-wing prospects that are starting to look good, including Henry Phillips (21 Apps, 3 Asts, 3.93 D/90, 6.71 AR), the 17-year-old speedster who is still figuring things out on the pitch. Last year, he was described as “overwhelmed”, but he has shown improvement and has continued to show good dribbling ability……Captain Kady Rendell (40 Apps, 1 Goal, 2 Asts, 6.97 AR) has now played 457 League Games for the club and counting, but he is having to contend with an increasingly crowded space with a few players starting to step up, such as 23-year-old Cypriot Kyriakos Konstantinou (’25 YC – 43 Apps (18 Starts), 3 Gls, 7 Asts, 2.42 T/90, 2.14 KP/90, 1.50 D/90, 6.94 AR). Although it took him a while to break through, Konstantinou has now become an important part of the rotation in the middle of the pitch. He has worked hard – when he first came out of the KYA, he was rated 3.5/5 PA, but that went up to 4.5/5 PA last season, but now 4/5 PA alongside his 3/5 CA. Outside of Mari, the Cypriot has been the best player out of what had looked like a strong ’25 Youth Class…….The real story in the middle of the pitch, however, is 17-year-old Aaron Bruce (39 Apps, 7 Asts, 6.85 AR), who made his debut this season and has not looked back. In fact, it seems that Ezz is favoring starting Bruce alongside Rendell, especially as the youngster proved capable of holding his own physically. He has great passing ability and tends to get involved frequently on both ends. He was the biggest name in the ’31 Youth Class and he is now showing why…….’Turbo’ Ojo (30 Apps, 1 Goal, 3 Asts, 6.87 AR) might be the most popular figure in club history, but he had a rough time at it this season, playing in only 30 Games and not doing so well in them, either. The left-wing position is perhaps the club’s shallowest, with only Tony Davies (35 Apps, 2 Gls, 4 Asts, 6.82 AR) on the first team that can fill in when Ojo’s down. Yikes…….The forward position is under such peril, however, with the likes of 16-year-old Swede Olof Thorn (11 Apps, 5 Gls, 6.61 AR) proving he is not too far off from being ready. He has shown a great knack for scoring goals already and has shown good technical ability along with decent speed. The rookie will only get stronger, and he has become one of the club’s most exciting prospects. END OF SEASON

McCormick showing up !

Bongers, Belle, and Coenen look ready to lead the next generation!

Stevenson is playing on another level! Fantastic read so far - followed!

Can't wait to see what your Intake looks like this season - wow.

KAFRA FC 2031/32 TEAM REVIEW CHAMPIONSHIP: 16th Place – FA CUP: 3rd Round – CARABAO CUP: 3rd Round The best way to describe Kafra FC’s 2031/32 season would be transitionary, as it represented the first full season the squad played in a 4-5-1 formation as well as the first time in the club’s history that the known pecking order of the first team was significantly adjusted. The ’22 Generation, as they have become known, conceded – first the first time in club history – permanently three positions to Kafra Youth Academy products. The biggest change also brought with it a complete change in the formation being played in order to better utilize the player’s talents – that player is Hungarian international Bendeguz Mari (’25 Youth Class), whose play convinced Ni Ezz to shift from a two striker formation to just Dawson up top, supported by Mari as a trequartista behind him. That was the biggest change, but it was not the most controversial – that would go to 18-year-old GK Jerad Hinchliffe (’30) replacing the only No.1 the club has ever known despite no negative form from Stephen Barrett. Simply put, Hinchliffe’s potential and current ability were too prominent not to nurture, and even though Barrett made a lot of noise about letting his contract run down so he can join somewhere else, he eventually resigned with the club for another three years as he remains one of its most influential voices in the locker room. The final change was at left-back, long somewhat of a problem area for the club that now has seemingly founds its solution in the form of 18-year-old Belgian/Albanian Edison Dosti (’29), who showed up in his third year a much better player than previously seen. That being said, Kafra fell from 12th Place to 16th, even with the defense playing much better than last season. They went from being the worst team defensively in the Championship last season to becoming the 18th (out of 24 teams) best team in the league at the back. Their 71 Goals Conceded was their least in the four seasons they have been in the Championship, an incredible improvement of 20 Goals from last season. Hinchliffe had a strong season between the posts, and even though there was no stand-out performer in the backline, the consistency and form overall was a couple of notches above last season. Ahead of them, Mari had the entire club excited as he followed up his breakout season with an even more impressive one, nearly registering an infamous triple-double season (at least 10 Goals, 10 Assists, and 10 PoMs in one season) as Ezz continued to divert counter-attack plays from the wings to the middle to take advantage of Mari’s touch. That also resulted in Tom Dawson delivering a second straight season with at least 35 Goals (38 last year), placing himself in Championship history and folklore having played one of the most impressive two-season stretches of any player that has played in the division. They weren’t the best team offensively (6th best) as they were a year ago, but there were no complaints going forward. This is an offense that is strong on many fronts and could hold its own in the Premier League, as well. The investment in the club continued this season, and further enhancements and upgrades are expected over the summer to bring the club’s facilities to a level that is matched only by the largest clubs in the world. Talk about formalizing the KYA in Accra, Ghana has picked up speed, and it has now become the first Kafra Youth Academy campus opened outside of London. Meant to recruit talent from all over West Africa, the KYA Accra Campus will ensure that any athlete, whether they get chosen to become part of the Kafra FC set up or not, will get free education until he receives his high school diploma, with the option of getting a college degree fully paid for as part of the set up agreement. It is the hope of owner/manager Ni Ezz that this can give special talent a clear and straight pathway to football as a career, as well as improve the lives of all those that are part of the program, including their families and loved ones, no matter how small. KEY PLAYERS BENDEGUZ MARI Midfielder/Attacking Midfielder (Centre) – Hungary (7 Caps/3 Goals) – Age: 23 ('25 Youth Class) For the first time in the club’s ten-year history, someone other Ojo (5 times) and Dawson (4 times) has won the Kafra Player of the Year award, and it could not have gone to a more deserving player. The writing was on the wall two seasons ago, and last year (2030/31) was his breakout campaign – this season, however, Mari has turned into one of his country’s most important players and Kafra FC’s center point of gravity. A team that relied so much on its wings just two seasons ago now has its magnetic pole playing as a trequartista behind the striker, and although the team struggled (especially the second team) with its new identity, Mari thrived – in 38 Appearances, he registered 10 Goals, 9 Assists, 7 PoMs, 1.32 T/90, 2.30 D/90, 31 CCC, and 7.34 AR, up from 7.20 AR last season and a new career-high. Long considered the KYA’s most talented graduate, he has more than lived up to that billing this season. His style and creativity – coupled with his flair – has endeared him to the fans, and he has worked hard to turn his shooting from a weakness into a strength. Before last season, he had scored a total of 5 Goals in five full seasons, before nailing 7 Goals in 2030/31 and a career-high 10 Goals this year, becoming one of the highest scoring central midfielders in the Championship. He is the only player on the squad that is part of his national team’s set-up, currently, and has aspirations to become captain of the club one day – for now, however, he will be the first player in club history to represent Kafra at a major tournament, having been called up to the Hungarian national team for Euro 2032 in Italy this summer. TOM DAWSON Striker – England (Capped at U20 level) – Age: 27 ('22 Youth Class) The former Kafra Player of the Year would have easily captured his fifth award had it not been for the brilliance of Mari. He was the Championship Top Goalscorer winner for the second straight year, scoring an incredible 35 Goals after netting an even more impressive 38 Goals last season. Ganiyu ‘Turbo’ Ojo might be the most popular figure in the club’s history, but there can be little argument as to who has been its most influential on the pitch – the answer is clearly Tom Dawson. He has scored 247 League Goals over his career in 411 Appearances, with a 7.11 AR – this season, he registered 7.12 AR (down from a career-high 7.41 AR last season) in 42 Games to go along with 35 Goals, getting named to the Championship Select for the second consecutive year. The vice-captain continues to be one of the squad’s most respected voices in the locker room, described as a ‘Model Professional’ by the media, and holds his manager in the highest regard. He might not be the quickest or the strongest, but his shooting touch has proven to be second to none. A true legend of the club. KADY RENDELL Midfielder (Centre) – England (Capped at U20 level) – Age: 27 ('22 Youth Class) The captain and the quintessential ’22 Generation player, Kady Rendell continues to defy his critics as he remains instrumental to the club’s success on the pitch even with the change of formation. In 39 Games, he registered 1 Goal, 6 Assists, 84% PC, 48.16 PC/90, 1.59 T/90, and 7.06 AR, down from a career-high 7.17 AR last season. Kafra’s all-time leading appearance record holder at 417 League Appearances and counting, his durability and consistency remains two traits that define him as a player and a person. With a number of young, talented midfield prospects coming through the ranks over the last few years, Rendell might soon find his playing diminishing a bit – in fact, after playing in 40+ Games for eight straight seasons, he has not eclipsed that number in the past two simply because there is more competition, and more mouths to feed, in the two MC positions. Rendell remains on top of the pecking order, however, and retains both is starting position and influence as he heads into the 2032/33 season. GANIYU ‘TURBO’ OJO Winger (Left)/Striker – England (Capped at U20 level) – Age: 26 ('22 Youth Class) The switch from counter-attacking primarily down the wings to pushing it through the middle to Mari has affected Ojo’s play and form, no question about that. How he has responded, however, has been the impressive part, as he delivered 11 Assists, the fourth time in his career he has registered more than 10 in a season and his highest mark since joining the Championship. The English/Nigerian winger has a cult following at the club thanks to his endless energy and effort and is recognized as the most popular player in the club’s history. He needs to rein in on his frustration, as he set a new club record with 11 Yellow Cards and 3 Red Cards this season, something he will have to work on as that amounts to quite a few games missed. Needless to say, it is that same energy that has endeared him to the fans and has made him one of his manager’s favorite players. ‘Turbo’ registered 3.66 T/90, 5.55 PrC/90, 3.29 D/90, and 7.01 AR, up from 6.89 AR last season despite his large drop in goals scored, bringing to the table what he has always brought since day one – maximum effort regardless of if the squad is on offense or defense, and his numbers back that up. A bonafide club legend. JARED HINCHLIFFE Goalkeeper – England (Capped at U20 level) – Age: 18 ('30 Youth Class) Two seasons ago, it seemed close to impossible that anyone but Barrett would be the club’s No.1 – there was no one on the first team that could come close to his level of talent and anyone coming out of the KYA would presumably take a number of years to develop. Enter Jared Hinchliffe, who like Mari, has thrown Kafra’s conventional order off course and is now the undisputed starting GK for the club going forward. It has nothing to do with Barrett, who has continued to play as he always has, but Hinchliffe’s potential is impossible to ignore and, after one full season as the starting GK, his ability has now surpassed his predecessor despite only being 18 and still developing. In 35 Games, he registered 1.49 Con/90, 9 Clean Sheets, 2 PoMs, and 7.05 AR, up from 6.85 AR during his rookie season last year and higher than Barrett’s career-high of 7.01 AR, set in 2026/27 when the club was still in the League One division. There has become a number of players in the first team that carry a 5*/5 PA rating, but only Hinchliffe has 3.5/5 CA rating, with the talk being that if he keeps improving at this speed, he will be an EPL-level GK sooner rather than later. He has become easily one the club’s most exciting prospects, and the media have already started comparing him to Peter Shilton. OTHER NOTABLES & HOT PROSPECTS THE BACK: Despite having mediocre rookie and sophomore seasons (the latter being current), Kingsley Folorunsho (’29 YC – 32 Apps (17 Starts), 6.56 AR) continues to capture the attention of scouts and Premier League sides. The ‘Resolute’ DC has all the foundational abilities to become a fantastic defender, but he has yet to figure it out. That is completely alright at this point considering he is still only 18, but it is not secret that with the increased playing time, the backroom staff would like to see better and more consistent form the young defender, similar to another ’29 Youth Class graduated, Belgian left-back Edison Dosti (’29 YC – 38 Apps, 2.00 T/90, 5.43 Int/90, 6.76 AR). The 18-year-old, who has been capped at the U19 level by his nation, showed vast improvements across the board – his rookie year saw him register 6.55 AR, but he was a lot better this season. One of the number of prospects that now carry 5*/5 PA ratings, this was his first year as the starter at left-back and it looks like he has earned the right to keep it permanently. His defensive instincts, of which already come naturally to him, improved quickly and significantly with the extra experience, helping the back line conceded 20 Goals less this season than last. THE MIDDLE AND FRONT: It would be unfair not to give Stefan Janjic (21 Apps (11 Starts), 3 Goals, 7.09 AR) his due, as the 26-year-old Swedish midfielder continues to be there for the squad when needed. Part of the ’22 Generation, Janjic has now played 311 League Games for the only club he has ever known and continues to be the first name off the bench in the center of the pitch for Ezz. As more midfield prospects trickle through the KYA system, Janjic will inevitably see his playing time dwindle, but for now, he is as reliable as they come for his manager and had a very good season. The only other Scandinavian on the team is Danish right-winger Per Bruun (40 Apps, 3 Gls, 10 Asts, 3.23 T/90, 3.34 D/90, 7.06 AR), who played in at least 40 Games for the first time in three years. Therein lays the problem with Bruun – as his numbers always prove, when he is on the pitch he is one the club’s best players, but his injuries have limited him over the past few years. Bruun, who is now 27, has already seen some of his athleticism decline after having to deal with so many injuries, and with the new 4-5-1 formation with less focus on the wings, the vital nature of the wing positions has been downsized, somewhat. Bruun will be charged with teaching rookie Henry Phillips (14 Apps, 1 Assist, 3.47 D/90, 6.67 AR) some of the tricks of the trade, with Phillips carrying a 5*/5 PA rating with skills that has the Kafra coaches excited about his potential. He was overwhelmed a lot of the time when he played and it showed – what also showed was that he has almost unlimited potential and has the speed to match. The 16-year-old right winger has a direct path to playing time thanks to Bruun’s questionable durability. Joining him in the first team is 15-year-old Swedish striker Olof Thorn (4 Apps, 2 Gls, 6.93 AR), who made his debut in March and set the club record for youngest player to appear in a match and then proceed to set the Championship record for youngest player to ever score in a match. His first full season – his rookie season – will be 2032/33, and he will go in already being hyped as Dawson’s eventual successor up front, especially as he is carrying a 5*/5 PA rating. END OF SEASON

YOUTH INTAKE 2032 For the second straight year, we've had exceptionally rated Intakes. The investment in facilities always pays off quick.